Stage and Screen Stage and Screen is an online publication offering the latest Entertainment news of Productions on Stage, and on Screens.
DRAGGING THE F-WORD BACK INTO THIRTY-SOMETHING
Hot off of sold-out performances in Cape Town, the deliciously camp coming-of-age musical comedy Dragging 30 is about to liven up Johannesburg theatre goers, no matter which side of 30 they’re on.
Critics have called it “fun with a capital F” and audiences in Cape Town have flocked to see it! Dragging 30 is being hailed the next best fun night out since the invention of a girls’ night out. And now Johannesburg is in for the same treat when this fabulous piece of cabaret comedy explodes onto the stage at Auto & General Theatre on The Square, from 14th to 26th March.
We’ve all been there or about to get there, and when finally (or suddenly) the big Three Zero arrives it leaves you wondering “how did I get here?” You’re officially an adult. And if you’re single, unsettled and childless, 30 appears to be even more terrifying.
Dragging 30 is a coming of age musical comedy which takes you on a somewhat crazy and comical journey through the eyes of two women trying (in a panic) to come to terms with the idea of being 30-something.
With the help of fabulous Drag Queen Extraordinaire, Cadenza Jones, they realize that there is truly nothing more liberating than being yourself, living in the moment and owning your “fierce” at any age.
The performers – Genna Galloway (Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Sound of Music), Natasha van der Merwe(Mamma Mia, Sister Act, Spamalot, Peter Pan Pantomime) and Alain Fleischmann (Two and Half Queens, Two Queens and A Butt-lure) – have already received rave reviews. One critic wrote about Fleischmann’s drag queen, “There’s nothing like seeing all of that fabulous energy in sequins, a big wig and nine inch heels doing some serious booty shaking to chase your morbid thoughts away!” While another wrote about Galloway and van der Merwe, “The gorgeous devilish duo are most definitely South Africa’s super-hot sizzling ‘Ab-Fab’ girls, offering a wonderful dose of humour, hilarious escapades and some powerhouse singing.”
And the music adds yet another dimension to the cabaret-style production. With numbers like Pink’s epic Raise Your Glass and Meghan Trainor’s lively Dear Future Husband sung to perfection by the two women, Dragging 30 just becomes more energetic. Cadenza Jones belts out her own numbers, too, which is a refreshing take on drag queens who are known to lip synch their performances.
The costumes, sets and lighting create an intimate yet dazzling backdrop to this witty, flirty romp of a play.
Show times are Tuesday to Friday at 20:15 and on Saturday at 18:00 and 20:30. Tickets are R70 per person and booking is essential – book your tickets through www.strictlytickets.com or at the Auto & General Theatre on The Square box office. Find out more at www.theatreonthesquare.co.za.
